(The crossword puzzle for Job chapter 40 can be found at the end of this article.)

            In the first two chapters, the Book of Job begins with, for all intended purposes, what appears to be a knockout of Satan by Job.  We then have to wait thirty-nine chapters for Job to be rewarded by God for his steadfast endurance.  In between these two sections in Job are extensive discussions between Job and his friends with a later response by a young man named Elihu who angrily speaks up in the end.  Finally, God begins to speak in Job chapter 38 through chapter 41. 

The bulk of the book (thirty-five chapters) is spent then in these conversations between Job, the three friends and Elihu.  The obvious question then is “Why spend so much time on these conversations?”   “Are they really all necessary?”  “Do they really have a purpose?”   Actually, several things could be pointed out in regard to the great value of these conversations.   One of these is that in actuality, the battle Job was fighting did not end in chapter two of Job.  In fact, it was really only the beginning. 

This extended conversation demonstrates for one thing that a major part of the battle is in the long haul and takes place in our thought life.  Indeed, Job’s initial responses and reactions in the first two chapters are both noteworthy and quite remarkable.  Yet, what is often the most difficult for most people is not what takes place in the immediate but rather in trials that so often last for days, weeks, months, and years.  These trials so often are fought in the mind.  This was the place where Job’s greatest warfare would take place.  This is where the Book of Job most heavily concentrates itself. 

The apostle Paul tells us this very fact when he tells us the what, the why, and the where of the weapons which are used by Christians that engage themselves in spiritual warfare (2 Corinthians 10:3-5).  This battle and these weapons are spiritual in nature, Paul says.  This is the “What” of spiritual warfare.  Our weapons are not carnal—in other words, they are not manmade.   To the brethren at Ephesus, Paul spelled out specifically the two weapons which we have at our disposal after we have put on the whole armor of God:  1) the sword of the Spirit—which is the word of God; and 2) prayer. 

The “what” of our weaponry leads to the “why”.  Why use these weapons?  Because they “are mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds; casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth  itself against the knowledge of God”.  We have two powerful weapons in our spiritual arsenal that have the ability to defeat any enemy that we might engage.   Through God, these weapons will give us victory. 

But what about the “where” in this text?   Where does this battle take place?  Paul continues and says, “bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ”.  The battlefield is in one’s mind.  It occurs in ones thoughts.  Solomon would lay down the principle, “For as he thinketh in his heart [which is his mind, MWC], so is he” (Prov. 23:7).  This is why we need to temper our thoughts and fill our mind with thoughts that are good (Philippians 4:8; Matthew 6:21-23). 

Through the speeches of the friends in Job, Satan continued to work and wear upon the mind of Job.  We are reminded in the New Testament that we do not need to be ignorant of Satan’s devices (2 Corinthians 2:11).  Thankfully, we have been given these chapters in the middle of Job that we might learn from his patient endurance (James 5:11; Romans 15:4) and gain strength as we fight in our own spiritual battles.

Here are the puzzles Job chapter 40:

•  Interactive version - job_chapter_40 ; printable version - job_chap_40

Helps one achieve a correct set of values.

• When one is suffering, the things of this world (popularity, prestige, power, prosperity) lose their appeal.

• This helps one to think more of his responsibility to God and the condition of his heart and life.Helps one to be more grateful for God’s blessings and avoid self-pity (Job 42:10).

Helps one not to despair.

• It is helpful to remember that “sometimes the darkest hours precede the brightest” (Job 42:12).
• It is interesting that the majority of the Psalms of Lamentation – which comprise about half of the 150 Psalms – end on a positive note of hope and praise.

• Many times when we get through a trial, we look back thinking “Why was I so anxious when I went through that?  Why didn’t I trust in the Lord more?  ”

• Often when we get through those valleys of suffering, we can more confidently say along with David the words of the Shepherd Psalm (Psalm 23:4).

Helps to bring about repentance in those who have erred (Job 42:6).

• Look at the example of king Manasseh who lived wickedly for the majority of his life (2 Chronicles 33:10-12).

• Moses instructed that if and when the children of Israel departed from God, the suffering would help to bring them back (Deuteronomy 4:40).

Helps us to have a fuller understanding of God and His Word (Job 42:1-2; Psalm 119:67, 71).

Helps us to be better comforters of others (2 Corinthians 1:3-7)

Helps us reach those heights of spirituality that can only be attained through experiencing suffering (Romans 5:3-5; James 1:2-4).

Helps to remind us that we are merely pilgrims and strangers in this world and that there is something better beyond this life (Job 19:25-26).

• Suffering helps us to long for Him in eternity (Hebrews 11:13; 1 Peter 2:11).
• There is a place where the “wicked cease from troubling” and where “the weary be at rest” (Job 3:17).

Jesus says “Let not your hearts be troubled:  ye believe in God, believe also in me.  In my Father’s house are many mansions:  if it were not so, I would have told you.  I go to prepare a place for you.  And if I go to prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.” – Jhn 14:1-3

-          Adapted from class on Job by Darrell Conley, OABS, 08.

Here are the puzzles for the Book of Job 34-36:

•  Interactive version - job_chapter_34 ; printable version - job_chap_34  
•  Interactive version - job_chapter_35; printable version -  job_chap_35
•  Interactive version - job_chapter_36 ; printable version - job_chap_36

The heart of the Book of Job contains three rounds of speeches between Job and his friends from far away.  Eliphaz, the oldest of the three, speaks first.  His first speech to Job, though not as harsh and direct as his final speech, still contained insinuations and indirect language that was cold, pitiless, and unkind toward Job.  After Eliphaz finished speaking, Job gives his first response (chaps. 6-7).   While chapter 7 is a complaint primarily directed by Job to God, chapter 6 is a record of Job’s response to all three friends – “ye” v. 21, 26, and 27, “your” v. 22, 25, and “you” v. 29 are in the 2^nd person plural). [Above:  a “wadi” or dry river bed in southern Israel].

             Chapter  6:14-30 is a lengthy section where Job raises up grievances against his friends.  A brief breakdown and overview of what Job had to say helps us, on the one hand, to be truer friends to the suffering, and on the other hand, can help us avoid wrong attitudes to those in need.

Have Concern and Compassion (Job 6:14)

            What Job needed in his time of affliction was compassion, not correction.  The word “affliction” in this verse comes from a root word which means “to melt away.”  Job was pining and melting away– he was being consumed under calamities (Barnes).  He said, “Is my strength the strength of stones?  Or is my flesh of brass” (6:12).  Job’s faith would endure through these trials, but his strength was waning.  He needed someone, especially his friends, to lift him up and show that they cared; yet, all he received from them was condemnation.  

Refresh, Revive and Restore (Job 6:15-21)

            The region of Uz, the land in which the Book of Job takes place (see Lamentations 4:21), was known for its wadis.  A wadi is a dry riverbed that fills with water only during the rainy season of the year [Right:  a wadi in southern Judah].  Job compared his friends to these when he spoke of them as dealing with him as deceitful brooks and the stream of brooks that pass away (Job 6:15).  Everyone had deserted Job (Job 13:13-19), and when his three friends arrived from afar off, they must have seemed like brooks of refreshing water that had come to revive him (Job 6:16).  Yet, that was not to be. 

Instead of refreshing waters that could restore his spirits, they turned out to be dry river beds lacking in all spiritual sustenance for poor Job.  As weary-war-laden troops would be disillusioned and disappointed to discover such an empty riverbed when in dire need of its nourishment, so Job likewise was let down (Job 6:19-21).

Treat with Honor and Respect (Job 6:22-30)

             Every life is valuable and needs to be treated with dignity and respect.  Job’s response to his friends reveals he had not received such.  Job’s response reveals that his friends treated him in a degrading and debasing way.   They degraded and debased Job by:   1) interposing upon him their cruel opinions and unkind advice (Job 6:22-23); 2) making unjustified demands upon him (Job 6:24-26); 3) being overbearing to him in his time of weakness (Job 6:27); and, 4) treating him as though he was ignorant and could not tell if he had done wrong (Job 6:28-30).

Conclusion

Though these words by Job were spoken more than three thousand years ago, they continue to be very relevant today.   Times and cultures may change, but our basic needs of one another continue to remain constant.   Eliphaz, Bildad, and Zophar failed to help their friend in need.  The Bible reminds us however that God had not.  James says, “Ye have heard of the patience of Job, and have seen the end of the Lord; that the Lord is very pitiful, and of tender mercy (5:11). 

Not only was God’s pity upon Job, God had also never left his side through his terrible ordeal.  Furthermore, not only had God not left Job, He also demonstrated honor and respect toward this great man from the east (Job 1:8).  May we hear these grievances Job spoke to his miserable comforters, and may we develop in ourselves these needed skills in helping the suffering. 

Here are the puzzles for the Book of Job 31-33.

•  Interactive version - job_chapter_31 ; printable version - job_chap_31  
•  Interactive version - job_chapter_32 ; printable version - job_chap_32 
•  Interactive version - job_chapter_33 ; printable version - job_chap_33

            C. S. Lewis is quoted as saying, “We were promised sufferings.  They were part of the program.   We were even told, “Blessed are they that mourn.”  Even though we know that suffering is inevitable in this life, the questions of “Why?” or “Why me?” are still often asked by many a sufferer.  Job asked this question numerous times as he endured his sufferings. 

His three friends had only one explanation – that being that all suffering is the result of sin.  Their lack of understanding led them to be miserable comforters to a sufferer.  A better understanding of suffering should make us better supporters to those who suffer, and it should help us see our own sufferings that we may experience from a whole new light.  Consider the following possible sources of suffering.

One source of suffering is man’s inhumanity or mistreatment of man.  God has made man a free moral agent.  As a result, God does not infringe upon man’s choices and actions whether they are good or bad.  As Satan sought to cause Job to curse God to his face, he used various peoples – the Sabeans (Job 1:14-15) and the Chaldeans (Job 1:17) – to inflict suffering upon this just and upright man.  Man’s unjust treatment of his fellow man has existed from the outset of humanity as is seen in Cain’s murder of his brother Abel (Genesis 4:4-8).  In the days of Noah, the Bible says that violence had spread throughout the world (Genesis 6:11). 

                Another source of suffering is man’s own mistreatment of himself.  The Bible instructs us that one should possess a healthy love and respect for oneself.  Paul, for instance, taught that a man’s estimation of his wife is equivalent to his estimation of himself.  If a man demonstrates love to his wife, then, he shows love for himself as well (Ephesians 5:28).  Also, the Bible teaches that our bodies are the temples of the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 6:19).  Sadly, though, many times, individuals do not treat themselves as they ought (drinking, smoking, drug abuse, unhealthy dieting, personal neglect, fornication, risky behaviors, etc.).

                Still, another source of suffering is the environment in which we live.  In the account of Job, Satan used the forces of the environment to bring about the death of Job’s children (Job 1:18-19).   Whether God continues to allow Satan to operate in the area is unknown and questionable (Deuteronomy 29:29).  At times, in Scripture, the environment (that is, natural law) played a part in man’s suffering (Luke 13:4; John 9:1-3).

                The chastening of God can also be a source of suffering.  God often used wicked nations or  natural disasters to carry out His divine will.  Sometimes, this would be to bring about just punishments upon His people – as in the Babylonian Captivity.  At other times, it would be to bring about repentance – as in the three-year drought in the days of king Ahab (1 Kings 18:1).  The Bible teaches that the reason God chastises us is because He loves us as a father loves his son (Proverbs 3:11-12; Hebrews 12:6; Revelation 3:19). 

                A source that is closely tied in with the first one we considered is the influence of Satan.  Job did not realize that it was really the working of Satan that brought such horrible suffering into his life.  While Satan’s power has been limited by the work of Christ and by the Gospel (Luke 10:17-19; Hebrews 2:14; Revelation 20:1-2), we must ever be watchful of his continuing influence (1 Peter 5:8). 

The apostle Paul describes Satan’s work as subtle (2 Corinthians 11:3), which means that he uses trickery, sophistry, cunningness and craftiness to accomplish his goals.  Also, he works through those who appear to be righteous (Prov. 7:1-14; 2 Corinthians 11:14-15).  His goal is always to destroy, oppress, and  lead people away from God (Acts 10:38; James 1:13-15).  Nevertheless, Paul reminds us that we are not ignorant of his devices (2 Corinthians 2:11) and that we can overcome his influence by resisting him and by drawing nearer to the Lord (James 4:7-8).

Still another source might be one that is never known.  One may suffer and may never find an explanation for the suffering.  In the account of Job, Job is never told why he suffered.  In his desperation throughout his various speeches (Job 6:26), he believed that it was God that was putting him through such terrible torment and that his suffering was undeserved.  Like many a sufferer, He asked the question “Why?” again and again in his speeches (about twenty or so times).  Like Job though, the answers that are expected may never come. 

We know that from the opening chapters of the Book of Job that Job suffered, because he was a righteous man; but God never directly answered Job’s “Whys”.  God’s response from the whirlwind (Job 38-41) regarding His control and care of His creation was enough to suffice Job from all that He endured.  In the end, Job was satisfied with the response he received, and based upon that satisfaction, he submitted to God and repented (Job 42:1-6).

-          Adapted from class notes on Job by Curtis Cates (9-8-94)

Here are the puzzles for the Book of Job 28-30.

• Interactive version - job_chapter_28 ; printable version - job_chap_28 
•  Interactive version - job_chapter_29 ; printable version - job_chap_29 
•  Interactive version - job_chapter_30 ; printable version - job_chap_30

He saw it as a sleep.

• Job 3:13; Job 14:12
• Daniel 12:2 – It was only the physical body in the grave that had the appearance of sleep.  The spirit had gone back to God – Ecclesiastes 12:7
• John 11:11-14
• 1 Thessalonians 4:14

He saw it as a place of rest and freedom from trouble.

• Job 3:17-18; Job 3:13
• 2 Thessalonians 1:6-7
• Hebrews 4:9-11
• Revelation 14:13

He saw it as a place of perfect equality – the small and great are there.

• Job 3:19
• Galatians 3:28
• Revelation 20:12

He saw it as a place of comfort.

• Job 6:10
• Luke 16:22; Luke 16:25

He saw its finality – there are no more opportunities after death.

• Job 10:21-22; Job 16:22
• Matt.  25:1-13; Hebrews 9:27; Revelation 14:13

He saw it as a place where his Redeemer would reward him; where he would be given his resurrection body; and where He would see God.

• Job 19:25-27
• John 5:28-29; 1 John 3:2

He saw it as a place where all will very shortly go.

• Job 21:13; Job 21:26

Here are the puzzles for the Book of Job.

• Interactive version - job_chapter_22 ; printable version - job_chap_22 
•  Interactive version - job_chapter_23 ; printable version - job_chap_23 
•  Interactive version - job_chapter_24 ; printable version – job_chap_24
• Interactive version - job_chapter_25 ; printable version - job_chap_25 
•  Interactive version - job_chapter_26 ; printable version - job_chap_26 
•  Interactive version - job_chapter_27 ; printable version – job_chap_27

 

Being compassionate and sensitive are without question some of the most valuable characteristics of those in the medical field.  Besides being concerned about being up-to-date and knowledgeable about a particular area of medical health, most people know of the importance of a doctor with a good bedside manner.

When Job’s three friends arrived from afar, they seem to have come with the best of intentions.  Not only did they come from a great distance, but they appear to have mourned genuinely for him when they came to him (Job 2:12-13).  When they begin to talk with their suffering friend, they seem to have been somewhat gentle in their approach (Job 4:2).  Eliphaz even begins with some complimenting statements about Job (Job 4:3-4) and seems to be hopeful for Job—at least in the beginning. 

Eliphaz and his cohorts just could not help themselves and just had to speak their minds (Job 4:1).  Though they may have tried to be helpers, ultimately, they became “miserable comforters” (Job 16:2) and “physicians of no value” (Job 13:4).  Obviously, when we seek to serve the suffering and help the hurting, we want to be far removed from what these three friends became.  But how can we do that?  I believe we can be better servants to the suffering by learning from Job’s friends.

We Should be Uplifting

First, when helping the hurting, we should be uplifting.  Job’s friends were miserable comforters because they began to tear Job down instead of building him up during a time of great anguish and despair.  Job said they broke him in pieces with their words (Job 19:2).  He explained that if they were hurting and in his shoes, they could best believe that he would be uplifting them (Job 16:4-5).  There is a time for correction and instruction, and there is a time for building up (Ecc. 3:3).

We Need to be Sensitive

Second, those who suffer need those around them who are sensitive to support them.  Eliphaz, Bildad and Zophar are described by Job as those who were without wisdom (Job 17:10) and as those who vexed his soul (Job 19:2).  Here was a man who lost it all in an instant, and instead of listening and respecting Job’s needs, Job’s friends went on the attack.  Berating Bildad begins his first speech with an insinuation that Job’s children were great sinners, and therefore, they were punished by their deaths (Job 8:4).  Zealous Zophar told Job that he did not get near what he deserved (Job 11:6).   In fact, his friends were so insensitive that he likened them to persecutors (Job 19:22).  It is an old cliché, but with friends like these, who would need enemies?

What Job needed and what everyone needs when they are enduring difficult circumstances are those who are caring and compassionate.  They need those who will be understanding and sensitive.  The New Testament tells us that we are to “weep with those who weep” (Rom. 12:15).  Jesus was one who was full of compassion and sensitive for those who were hurting and in need (Matthew 9:36; Matthew 14:14; Matthew 15:32; Matthew 20:34).  We are instructed in the Bible to be those who are compassionate and sensitive like our Lord Jesus Christ (1 Peter 3:8; 1 John 3:17; Ephesians 4:32).

We Need to be Understanding

The Book of Job presents to us a group of people with a general, limited understanding of the nature of God and the nature of man.   In order to be better equipped servants to the suffering, we need to understand better who God is.  Job said of his “miserable comforters” that they were without understanding (Job 17:4); that they were without shame in wronging him (Job 19:3); and he described them as those with wrongful imaginations against him (Job 21:27). 

They had the misunderstanding that all suffering is the direct result of sin.  They believed in retribution theology.   Each of Job’s friends brought this belief to the table in one form or another, and each of them explained that they derived their understanding of it from one source or another.   But in each case, they were all in error (Job 42:7).

As a result of this misunderstanding of theirs, they treated Job wrongfully.  They saw him as a great sinner and a hypocrite.  While it is true that we will reap what we sow (Galatians 6:7-8), it is not the case that all suffering is the result of sin (Luke 13:1-5; John 9:1-3).  Job suffered because of his faith, not because he faltered.  God’s goodness is given to all (Romans 2:4).  We are to follow that example (Galatians 6:10).  

•  Interactive version - job_chapter_16 ; printable version - job_chap_16
•  Interactive version – job_chapter_17 ; printable version - job_chap_17
•  Interactive version - job_chapter_18 ; printable version – job_chap_18

According to one study, “24 million children (34 %) live absent from their biological father.  1.35 million births (33 % of all births) occurred out of wedlock.  Over 3.3 million children live with an unmarried parent and the parent’s cohabitating partner.  The number of cohabitating couples with children has nearly doubled since 1990 from  891,000 to 1.7 million today” (The picture here is an artist’s conception of Job with his children when all was restored). 

Also according to this study, “the best predictor of father presence is marital status.  Children with involved, loving fathers are significantly more likely to do well in school, have healthy self-esteem, exhibit empathy and pro-social behavior, and avoid high-risk behaviors such as drug use, truancy, and criminal activity compared to children who have uninvolved fathers.  Studies on parent-child relationships and child well-being show that father ‘s love is an important factor in predicting the social, emotional, and cognitive development and functioning of children and young adults” (NRFC).

As this study indicates, it is vital that fathers spend good quality time with their children.  There are several men in Scripture who set forth exemplary examples of what a real father is all about.  If one had a top ten biblical lists of fathers, Job would certainly be one of those at the top.  Note the following admirable traits of Job as a father:

Command

Job was a leader in his home.  As such he possessed noble leadership qualities needed of fathers.  Job was not one who would say, “Do as I say, not as I do.”  His children had a father of noble character (Job 1:1; Job 29).  Job’s own life provided a good moral and righteousness standard that if followed would lead them on the right path.

Like Abraham (Genesis 18:19), Job appears to have been one that would have commanded his household after him.  From what very little is known about his children (Job 1:2: Job 1:3-4; Job 1:13), they appear to have been in subjection to their father (Job 1:5).  Also, with what little information is given about the interaction between Job and his wife, it seems that he was the proper head of his home.   Certainly, a wise husband should listen to a good and godly wife.  But Job would not allow his wife to do that which was wrong.

Conscientious

Job was conscientious or aware of the influence of evil. Chapter one opens up by describing him as one who “eschews evil.”  In other words he was one who was well aware of the dangers and influences of evil.  When it was present, he recoiled from it and did not allow it in his presence. 

His children appear to be grown when the events in chapter one takes place.  His sons have their own houses.  Birthdays were times when his children came together to celebrate.  From the text, these seemed to have been rather innocent, harmless family events.  There is nothing to indicate there was anything impure about them.  Yet, Job was not naïve of the way evil works.  He understood well that it many times comes in to people’s lives little by little (Job 1:1; James 1:13-15; Lot pitched his tent toward Sodom before actually living in the city Genesis 13:12-13).  Job, well aware of the possibility that his children could commit sin, offered sacrifices on their behalf. 

Concerned

Job was concerned about the inner purity of his children.  The specific concern Job had for his children is very enlightening.  It was not some overt act of sin that concerned him.  That did not seem to have been an issue with his children.  That which bothered Job was the inner thoughts of his children.  As a father, Job seems to have taught the importance and value of the inner self.  When one’s heart is right, a person’s actions will then be right (Matthew 5:8; Matthew 12:34-35).

Consistent

Job was consistent in his continuous concern for his children.  Job continuously offered sacrifices on behalf of his children.  His children’s spiritual welfare was one of his foremost concerns.  Abraham’s attitude toward being a father was similar.  God said of him, “For I know him, that he will command his children and his household after him . . .” (Gen. 18:19).  This could be said of Abraham (and of Job), because this was normal activity in rearing his children.

               Fatherhood is a very serious and special God-given role.  Fathers, may we follow this man of patience as we fulfill our duties with the children with which we have been blessed (Psalm 127:3-5).

•  Interactive version - job_chapter_13 ; printable version – job_chap_13
•  Interactive version -job_chapter_14 ; printable version – job_chap_14
•  Interactive version - job_chapter_15 ; printable version – job_chap_15

“Satan” means “adversary,” and that characteristic is displayed in its fullest sense in the first two chapters of the Book of Job.  After Job’s pure and pious character is introduced in the first few verses of chapter one, the scene shifts to heaven where the angels appear before the throne of God.  Note the following adversarial characteristics of the devil as is seen in these particular passages:

He is Real

                Skeptics and even some in the religious realm sometimes claim that Satan is just the personification for evil.  These also will refuse to admit the reality of evil itself.  Barna Research provides these statistics in relation to the question of peoples’ belief in the devil:

• In 2007, more than half of adults (57%) said that the devil, or Satan, is not a living being but is a symbol of evil.
• In 2007, 46% of born again Christians denied Satan’s existence.
• Two-thirds of Catholics (64%) said the devil is non-existent and only a symbol of evil.

While it is true the Scripture sometimes portrays various concepts as personifications (such as lady Wisdom and Folly in the Book of Proverbs), the devil is a real person.   Consider the following:

•             Did a personification of evil in the form of a serpent actually speak to Eve in the garden (Genesis 3:4-5), or was it, in reality, Satan who spoke to her through the serpent (2 Corinthians 11:3)?
•             Did the real person, the devil, tempt Jesus in the wilderness, or was this just an imaginary event (Matthew 4:1-11; Mark 1:12-13; Luke 4:1-13)?
•            Did the apostle Paul provide an imaginary or a real example of “falling into the condemnation of the devil” when considering one of the qualifications of the office of a bishop?

He Has No Reverence for God

Satan ranks below zero in his reverence to God.  The adversarial nature of Satan comes out strongly in his responses to God regarding the consideration of God’s special servant, Job.  As one reads Satan’s sinister replies to God, you can just hear his sneering, scornful tone as He speaks to the heavenly Father. 

His lack of reverence, though, is not only heard, but it also is readily detected by implication from his response.  First, Satan says, “Doth Job fear God for nought?  Hast not thou made an hedge about him . . .” (Job 1:9-10)?  One should infer from this statement that Satan means to say to God that God is not worthy of such fear and reverence from man. 

In effect, Satan says that the only real reason Job (and anyone else for that matter) serves God is because of what they can get.  In other words Satan irreverently charges God with needing to bribe man for his service and worship.   Job’s refusal, though, to give up on God is positive verification that Satan was wrong in his irreverential charge against God (see earlier article).  God is indeed worthy of man’s worship and service.  He is indeed the high and lofty One that inhabiteth eternity (Isaiah 57:15).

No Regard for Man

Satan has no real regard for man.  In the Book of Revelation, he is known as Appolyon—which is Greek for “destroyer” (Revelation 9:11).  The apostle Peter says that he goes about “as a roaring lion . . . seeking whom he may devour” (1 Peter 5:8). 

Not only did Satan show no reverence for God, he showed no regard for even such a one as Job.  When God asked if Satan had considered Job and the character he possessed, Satan immediately insinuated that Job had ulterior motives in his actions.  In other words, Satan looked at Job as a hypocrite.  Satan sees no good in God’s people, and his only desire is to destroy.

He is Relentless

Satan is relentless.  When asked by God what he had been doing, Satan responded that he had been going to and fro in the earth (Job 1:7; see also 1 Peter 5:8).  Satan is persistent in the work that he has to do.  The apostle John wrote that the devil is full of wrath and is very busy, knowing that his time is short (Revelation 12:12). 

When God gave Satan the go ahead to remove the hedge from His servant Job, Satan went immediately to work (Job 1:12-13).  Also, he showed the same persistence when the LORD gave him permission to touch his flesh (Job 2:6-7).

It has been said that “You can believe it that as soon as one is baptized, Satan is waiting to tempt him or her.”  Immediately after Jesus was baptized, Satan began to tempt Him.  Satan is relentless.

He is Ruthless

Satan is ruthless.  He has no remorse.  His goal was to bring Job to his breaking point.  He went to the fullest extent possible in his attacks upon Job.  Working through various groups of people and forces of nature, he cruelly compounded tragedy after tragedy into Job’s life.  Each time, he purposefully preserved the life of one of Job’s servants to bring as much misfortunate news as possible to discourage this man totally. 

In his second round of attacking Job, God permits Satan to take his health to the point where only Job’s life is preserved.  Satan thus ruthlessly inflicts Job with boils from the crown of his head to his feet.  Job is so inflicted that he is disfigured to the point that his friends do not recognize him when they arrive to mourn for him (Job 2:12). 

He is Reigned Over

                If there is one aspect of comfort that these two chapters present regarding Satan, it would be that he is reigned over.  This is the good news—Satan has his limits.  In all that Satan does to Job, he can only do what God allows him to do.  It is God that permits Satan to bring disaster and misfortune into Job’s life, and in both cases in which this is done, God sets the limits of what Satan can do to Job.  Paul reminds us of the limitations that temptation has in our lives, and that in all cases in which we are tempted, there is always a way of escape (1 Corinthians 10:13).

                Job chapters 1 and 2 reminds us that:  Satan is real; he has no reverence for God; he has no regard for man; he is relentless and ruthless; but also, he is reigned over by God.  When tragedy and suffering enter our lives, may we like Job endure unto the end (James 5:11).

~adapted from a sermon by Winfred Clark

Here are some crossword puzzles on chapters 7-12 of the Book of Job.  You may want to read the chapters a few times before working on them.  Remeber these are just a way to become more aware with the words in the chapters.  Also, keep in mind that context is always key. Look for crossword puzzles for the entire Book of Job articles on this amazing book of the Old Testament. 

• Interactive version - job_chapter_7 ; printable version – job_chap_7

• Interactive version - job_chapter_8 ; printable version – job_chap_8

• Interactive version - job_chapter_9 ; printable version – job_chap_9

• Interactive version – job_chapter_10; printable version – job_chap_10

• Interactive version – job_chapter_11; printable version – job_chap_11

• Interactive version – job_chapter_12; printable version – job_chap_12